Chapter 32
A Dream came true
When I found you
A wish fulfilled
When You loved me
And I loved you!
The first day of the New Year dawned dreary and cloudy, threatening some impending storm! The dance contest organizers were worried and so was Simone's group that it would have to be cancelled, but thankfully the weather held till the evening.
Simone's group alongwith Angad-Kripa had stage rehearsals in the morning at Morisco's with sound, music, and light effects…..Simone showed them the positions and places for each dancer…..made them practice 2-3 times till she was satisfied with the final results! They got the afternoon off to rest in preparation for the evening's performance.
6 P.M.
Morisco's was packed that night….filled to maximum capacity of 150 people, seated at their tables waiting for the program to begin. Dinner was served early at 6:30 P.M. so it would be over by the time the contest began at 8 P.M.
Dilip-Naina were there to see their daughter perform alongwith the Mehras; also present were Mishti's parasailing friends, Anitah, Aaliyah with their boyfriends and the rest of the young group!
Exactly at eight, the stage manager went up (wearing a magenta suit this time) and announced the contest open in a grand manner. He called upon DJ Rocky to be the MC for the evening…..DJ Rocky took the stage and started his usual humorous banter, regaling and entertaining the audience before finally announcing the name of the first contestant: Ms Anamika from Mumbai:
A 13-14 year-old girl came onstage and perforned to the Dhoom 2 song: Crazy Kiya Rey….she had a flexible body and leaped and bent easily, doing her moves expertly like a gymnast, but she lacked grace and expression!
The Judges of the Contest were a prominent Business Magnate, Mr.Bajaj from Mumbai, a pop-star from Bangalore and a dancer/choreographer from Tamil movies…all guests at the Resort.
Next performer was a Michael Jackson look-alike who did Moonwalk quite perfectly with "Don't stop till u get enough" ….he was a big hit, he even dressed like Michael with the silver glove and socks and shoes!
After that two young men did break-dancing to "Who let the Dogs Out" ….they were really good and drew a lot of applause, doing amazing body twists and somersaults.
A young woman tried to belly-dance like Shakira to the song "Hips don't lie" but failed miserably; its not easy to be Shakira!
An older woman did a slow Kathak style dance to " Mohey Panghat pe nandlaal chhed gayo rey"…she drew sniggers as she was well past her prime but she did try her best!
Next it was Kripa's turn:
Meanwhile Backstage:
Kripa was nervous and excited as she had a hurried snack and went backstage to get ready for the contest….Mishti went with her to help her dress and put on make-up! There were butterflies in her stomach as she put on the Amrapali costume for her solo dance….the white and gold choli with a matching dance-style dhoti-sari wound tightly around her slender curves! Mishti made a little bun and left the rest of her hair open and decorated it with jewelled pins and flowers…..she wore white fake-flower bangles and golden jewelry on her neck, ears, tika and silver payals on her ankles! She looked a lot like Shakuntala of the legends with her white costume and jewelry and her innocent charm and grace!
Mishti looked at her completed make-up, pleased with the end result…..she pinched her cheek playfully and said: Ekdum Shakuntala jaisi lag rahi hai meri behen!
Kripa hugged her and said: Thanks, Dii, for ur help! Mishti: Anytime, Baby!
Just then there was a knock on the dressing-room door----Angad's deep voice said: Kripa, are you ready?
Mishti laughed: Lo, aa gaya tumhara Dushyant! She opened the door, greeted Angad cheerily and left the room!
Angad came in; Kripa held her breath, looking down and blushing as she felt Angad's reaction to her appearance……he drew in a sharp breath, came near her and raised her downcast chin. She closed her eyes, suddenly overcome with shyness!
Angad bent low near her neck, cupping her red cheeks and said in a low, husky voice: Humari shadi ke din bhi tum yehi dress pehenna…..bahut sundar lag rahi ho…..I swear, agar ab yeh program nahin hota toh abhi tumhey uthakar yahan se le jaata"
Kripa opened her eyes slowly and looked shyly into his heated, passionate gaze: Please, mujhey iss tarah se mat dekho….
Angad (arrogantly): Kyun nahin? Tumhey dekhna mera haq hai….
Kripa: Haan, lekin abhi nahin please, ab main bahut nervous hoon….mere pet mein butterflies ud rahey hain..
Angad touched her sari-clad belly: Hmmmm, lagta toh nahin ke andar butterflies hain…
Kripa laughed and slapped his hand away: ANGADD, shaitaani mat karo……Ab kya karoon main, mujhey bahut darr lag raha hai…..she fretted nervously, forgetting her shyness and clutching his arm……….. "Main akeli kaisey stage per dance karoon itney logon ke saamney? Angad, please tum bhi mere saath chalo na….
Angad laughed heartily: I don't think those folks would like to see me in Shakuntala costume…..Kripa, tumhey yaad hai na Simone ne kya kaha tha? Don't look at the audience, buss apney liye dance karo, merey liye dance karo….think of us, think of our Love when you dance…..he suggested, hugging her nervous frame, comforting her, encouraging her!
And that is exactly what she did when her turn came!
DJ Rocky announced: And Now Ms. Kripa Sharma will delight you with her dance from Asoka!
Angad took her to the stage entrance and kissed her cheek quickly: Best of Luck, Baby! Go conquer them!
She squeezed his hand, getting strength from those big hands, took a deep breath and stepped on the stage as the music started to her song:
http://www.raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000345.html (Asoka---Hema Sardesai)
http://www.zippyvideos.com/658694617499746...mance_to_asoka/ ( I hope u can open the vdo becuz I couldn't)
As Kripa started dancing, a hush fell over the audience, as they were mesmerized by the beautiful girl and her graceful movements! She followed Angad's advice, looked at her hands and fingers, anywhere but at the audience sitting in front in the dark. She immersed herself in the dance, swaying sensuously and imagining Angad as her sajan in the song! She had a sweet smile on her lips which made her dance even more attractive! She bent over backwards, twirled, spun, and did the rapid foot movements with the thak thak tha parts.She surprised even her own family, Naina-Dilip, Mishti-Kartik, all were enjoying her dance with pride and amazement! Angad watched her from the wings with a proud, loving smile, his eyes drinking in her beauty and grace!
Prithvi's eyes shone with an unhealthy glitter as he looked at the sensuous movements of her body!
(San sanana nana, san sanana nan
Jaa jaa re jaa re jaa re, jaa re pawan) - 2
Mere jaisa dhoondke laa mera sajan
San sanana nana, san sanana nan
Jaa jaa re jaa re jaa re, jaa re pawan
Aisa kahin koi nahin - 2
Aisa ho to shaayad main kar loon milan - 2
Jaa jaa, jaa re pawan, jaa re pawan
San sanana nana, san sanana nan
Jaa jaa re jaa re jaa re, jaa re pawan
Aakaash hai koi prem kavi
Main uski likhi kavita
Oh, aakaash hai koi prem kavi
Main uski likhi kavita
Mere jaisa koi nahin aaya jag mein yug beeta
Chhoo na sake koi mujhe - 2
Chhoo le to haai lag jaaye aggan - 2
Jaa jaa re jaa, jaa re pawan, jaa re pawan
San sanana nana, san sanana nan
Jaa jaa re jaa re jaa re, jaa re pawan
Yea yea yea yea, yea yea yea yea
Main aap hi apni premika
Main aap hi apni saheli
Haan, main aap hi apni premika
Main aap hi apni saheli
Aur nahin koi apne jaise, bas main ek akeli
Main aaoon to, main jaaoon to - 2
Mujhko dekhe jhuk ke gagan - 2
Jaa jaa, jaa re pawan, jaa re pawan
San sanana nana, san sanana nan
Jaa jaa re jaa re jaa re, jaa re pawan
Mere jaisa dhoondke laa mera sajan
(San sanana nana, san sanana nan
Jaa jaa re jaa re jaa re, jaa re pawan) – 2
Loud applause followed her performance, she was flushed as she took a bow, smiling shyly and went backstage! Her family stood up and applauded her. For them, it was a small miracle that their shy little Kripa had stolen the show with her solo performance!
Kripa was breathless with excited pleasure at her success, she ran to Angad, hugged his waist and exclaimed: Oh Angad, I am so happy! They liked my dance" she was practically jumping up and down with joy!
Angad: Of course they will like ur dance! You were amazing! He kissed her forehead affectionately….Ab jaao aur change karo for our number, you have 20 minutes!
Kripa panicked at once, but Mishti had already arrived backstage to help her change so it didn't take her long to open her Shakuntala costume and put on her golden costume (imagine Kripa's gold dress in Rabba Rabba concert, only with skin-tight pants instead of a skirt)
She left her hair open, taking off the white flowers and pins and also took off most of her Indian jewelry, just wearing long golden hoop earrings.
Angad had changed into his black shirt and pants, looking amazingly handsome and dashing! This gorgeous Gold and Black pair went onstage after 3-4 more item numbers by others!
AND NOW THE BREATHTAKING PAIR, MS KRIPA SHARMA AND MR. ANGAD KHANNA WILL DANCE TO LATIN BEATS" announced DJ Rocky!
http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/song-60578.html (Honeymoon Travels Pvt.Ltd.)
Angad and Kripa hypnotized the audience with their passionate, scintillating performance….Tango, salsa and swing mixed with a little mambo as well! They promenaded cheek to cheek in the beginning, did a little tango, then moving on to salsa steps side by side, then he swung her away from him, pulled her back into his arms and bent her over his arm, caressing her cheek! All the time, they looked unwaveringly into each other's eyes, yet their steps didn't falter; they never missed a step! They only looked away during the more dramatic poses of tango!
They were so immersed in each other that even their watchers felt the heat between them. Mishti's face became serious, suddenly wondering about Kripa as a lot of mysteries fell into place. The subtle change in her sister was very much obvious today! She decided to talk to Kripa about this at night. Dilip looked quite upset at the intimate way in which Kripa was dancing with Angad. Naina looked uncomfortable too. Kartik and Mishti exchanged glances. Prithvi looked venomously at the black and gold pair onstage, frowning with envy!
But the rest of the audience and the judges were enjoying the chemistry between the dancing duo. Both complimented each other so well and danced in tandem as if they had been born dancing that way! He was like a handsome matador and she was his Senorita! The gorgeous couple blew everybody away with their performance, especially at the end when Kripa came running and leaped into his arms and he caught her and held her aloft by her waist, with her feet pointing straight like in ballet! That made everybody applaud wildly, followed by ceetees and catcalls!
pyaar ki yeh kahaani suno
ek ladka tha, ek ladki thi
hoti kya hai jawaani suno
ek ladka tha, ek ladki thi
ek ladki thi woh bhi ek daur tha
waqt hi aur tha jab woh the
ajnabi dono tanaha se the
par woh kehte kise baat jo dil mein thi) – 2
pyaar ki yeh kahaani suno ek ladka tha, ek ladki thi
hoti kya hai jawaani suno ek ladka tha, ek ladki thi
gumsum gumsum rehte the dono
phir bhi dil mein kehte the dono
koyi sapana hum bhi to paayein
ek din tute ghum ke woh ghere
jhilmil jhilmil aaye savere
mausam badala jaagi fizaayein
woh mil gaye, woh khil gaye aur pyaar ho hi gaya
jo maanga tha, woh paaya to hosh kho hi gaya
As soon as Angad-Kripa ended the dance, wild applause broke out, they got a standing ovation from the judges as well. It was clear they were the favorites in the paired dance!
Their performance was followed by two more paired dances : two girls who danced to Deedar De from Dus and a girl and a boy who danced to Nach Baliye! But these dancers failed to impress the judges or the audience.
Angad and Kripa stood in the wings, with their arms around each other, elated at the success of their joint item, watching the later performances, which included some of Simone's students performing movie mumbers as well as hip-hop and salsa!
To end the show, Simone's group danced " Funk Soul Brother" energetically and vigorously, pumping energy into every move and leap! They were amazing and Kripa was in the back row too, swinging and dancing to the funky beats!
That dance was the Grand Finale and the show ended after that, the judges going into consultation with each other to choose winners in the solo, paired and group dances!
And then the results were in: Mr. Bajaj got up on the stage and announced the winners on behalf of the all the judges:
I am pleased to say that tonight we have double winners for the solo dance:
The first prize goes to Ms. Kripa Sharma for her graceful dance from Asoka and the joint winner is none other than our home-grown Michael Jackson!
Kripa was stunned….she hadnt really expected to win first prize….she was overwhelmed. She almost cried in her happiness as she hugged Angad tightly and thanked him: Yeh sab tumhari wajeh se hua hai, Thank You, Darling! She jumped up and down and did a little jig in joy, then went onstage to receive her prize from the Judge with a sweet smile on her face!
Her parents, Mishti and Kartik and her friends were applauding crazily, Mishti kissed Kartik in her excitement, he looked very happy at this sudden bonus! Mishti jumped up and down and yelled : KRIPA…KRIPA…KRIPA….KRIPA (cupping her hands to her mouth) Her friends followed suit, shouting KRIPA….KRIPAA!
Kripa blushed as she took the golden award from Mr. Bajaj's hands, who laughed and said: Lagta hai aapkey bahut deewaney hain yahan per, I don't blame them….he looked admiringly at her!
Kripa thanked him shyly, then raised the award in the air and waved it for her family and friends and then turned to Angad in the wings and blew him a kiss! Dilip and Naina tried to see who she did that to but couldn't see Angad.
Mr Bajaj gave the award to the Michael lookalike as well, cracking jokes about the eccentric popstar!
Mishti ran backstage to congratulate and hug her sister and to join in the festivities!
Next the Judge announced the group winner which was of course Simone's group, as they were undoubtedly the best and the most professional performers! Simone took the award on behalf of all her dancers.
And to end the show, Mr. Bajaj announced the couple/duo award!
I am thrilled to give this couple award to the stunning pair of Ms. Kripa and Mr. Angad!
They went onstage hand in hand to receive their prize….Kripa was almost in tears now with happiness….she had never felt this happy in her whole life! She and Angad taking the prize together as a couple was a dream come true for her! Angad was equally excited and elated, grinning from ear to ear….he kissed her, then put his arm around her, escorting her onstage!
Mr. Bajaj said to Kripa: Ms Sharma, this is definitely YOUR night….three dances, three awards! You are amazing….how long have you been learning to dance?
Kripa laughed : Believe it or not, only for the last 10 days!
Bajaj was amazed….she added: Yeh sab Angad ki wajeh se hai, he convinced me to learn dance and participate in this contest!
Bajaj congratulated Angad: Well done, Young Man! You two were really amazing! And you have a star in the making here…he pointed to Kripa, Bajaj was quite impressed with her!
Angad put a possessive arm around Kripa and said: Yes, Sir, I know I have a real jewel here!
Angad let Kripa take the couple award and thank the audience for the honor….this was her night, she had found herself a place in the stars!
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
Pallavi
Author's Note: Shakuntala was the daughter of an Apsara who was left in the forest and brought up in an ashram there! She grew up into a beautiful and charming young woman! One day a king named Dushyant came hunting in the forest and saw her and fell in love with her....he courted her till she fell for him too, they got married in secret and spent nights together! Duhsyant left promising to return for her and take her to his kingdom...he gave her his ring as a token of his love and faith!
Shakuntala was so deep in thoughts of her king that she didnt serve Sage Durvasa who got angry and cursed her that the person who she was remembering wont remember her. She is shocked and grieved and cries for mercy ...the angry sage relented and said okay he will remember u by some token!
Some months passed, Shakuntala was pregnant, a sage at the ashram decided to take her to her husband, the King...they set out on a journey to the kingdom...on the way Shakuntala lost the ring that Dushyant had given her while bathing in the river, it fell into the water....she was heartbroken....the sage's curse was at work!
The king forgot all abt his lovely Shakuntala....when she reached his kingdom, he rejected her, saying he didnt even know her :cry: She left the kingdom in tears.....a long time went by!..Then one day a fisherman caught a huge fish, when it was cut open, the royal ring came out of its belly, the fisherman took it to show to the King, he saw it and remembered everything! He went looking for Shakuntala but was told she had died or disappeared!
He was heartbroken and became busy in wars with the asurs, helping the Gods! One day he was in a sage's ashram where he saw a little boy hunting small animals...he felt attracted to the little boy for some reason, took him to the ashram and found out it was Shakuntala's son and his child!
Happy Reunion followed and Dushyant took his wife and child back to his kingdom!
The son's name was Bharat after whom India is called Bharat!
Doesnt this story sound a lot like KYPH too? blink.gif :wub:
Pallavi
Your reaction
Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
Continue Reading next part >
Comments (0)